What is a 2D barcode?

A two-dimensional barcode stores data along both the width and height of the symbol and typically appears as barcodes stacked one on top of another. There are more than twenty 2D barcode symbologies but the two most popular are PDF417 and DataMatrix. 2D barcodes utilize advanced algorithms to encode a large amount of data in a small amount of space and include robust error detection and correction facilities so that damaged 2D barcodes can often be scanned successfully.